Biden hints at positive progress between India and the US on the MQ-9B drone purchase deal

US President Joe Biden welcomed the progress made by India in finalising the purchase of 31 MQ-9B armed drones from major US defence company General Atomics. Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to boost bilateral reciprocal supplies of defence equipment amid shared concerns over China's growing military power.

The US President hosted Modi at his private residence in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday afternoon and the two leaders held wide-ranging talks on various key aspects of India-US relations, including ways to deepen bilateral defence and military partnership.

A joint fact sheet on the Modi-Biden talks said the two leaders welcomed the significant progress made under US-India defence industrial cooperation, including ongoing collaboration to pursue priority co-production arrangements for jet engines, munitions, and ground mobility systems.

It said, “President Biden welcomed India's progress toward the purchase of 31 General Atomics MQ-9B drones and related equipment, which will enhance the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities of India's armed forces across all domains.”

India is purchasing 'Hunter-Killer' drones (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) from America's leading defense equipment company 'General Atomics' for more than US $ 3 billion, the main purpose of which is to strengthen the surveillance system on the border with China and in the Indian Ocean region.

It has been learnt that negotiations regarding the purchase price have been completed and the deal is likely to be formally finalised between the two parties by next month.

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